Dehydration device

ABSTRACT

A dehydration device includes a solar energy collection device connected with a water source so as to transfer solar energy into thermo energy which heats water that is supplied from the water source. A water storage device includes at least one hot water tank which has a heater connected to the solar energy collection device. The water heated by the solar energy collection device is stored in the at least one hot water tank. A heat-exchange device has a pipe connected with the water storage device, and an air delivery unit which blows air toward the pipe to form hot air to dehydrate foods. A windmill generates electric power which is provided to the dehydration device. The dehydration device uses green energy to dehydrate foods to keep proper freshness and nutrition. The dehydration device is easily moved and friendly to the environment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dehydration device, and more particularly, to a dehydration device using green energy so as to keep nutrition and freshness of the food.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The conventional way to keep food such as vegetables, fruits, and rice from being rotten or getting fungus, is to dehydrate the foods by removing water contents away from the foods. Therefore, there will be no need of using preservatives. The conventional way to remove the water contents from the foods is to use the electric drying device which requires electric power and the electric power is supplied by the local power plants which use fuel and natural gas to generate the electric power and these natural sources means significant cost. The shortage of the natural sources is a global problem and the cost is higher and higher. During the use of the natural sources, pollution is the inherent drawback which brings bad affect to our environment.

Besides, by using the electric power to remove the water contents from the foods is to directly heat the air and the foods are directly in contact with the dried air which may completely remove the water contents from the foods and make the foods to be too dried and the color and the texture may be changed. The nutrition of the foods is gone and the foods become fragile without any taste.

In addition, the conventional dehydration device has to be located close to the electric power supply and involves complicated structure. It is difficult to be disassembled or assembled. The conventional dehydration device is bulky and difficult to move.

The present invention intends to provide a dehydration device which uses green energy so as to improve the shortcomings of the conventional dehydration device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dehydration device and comprises a solar energy collection device connected with a water source so as to transfer solar energy into thermo energy which heats water that is supplied from the water source. A water storage device has at least one hot water tank which has a heater and is connected to the solar energy collection device. The water heated by the solar energy collection device is stored in the at least one hot water tank. A heat-exchange device has a pipe and an air delivery unit, wherein the pipe is connected with the water storage device and the air delivery unit blows air toward the pipe to form hot air.

Preferably, the dehydration device comprises a windmill that has an energy storage unit for storing electric power generated by the windmill and providing the electric power generated by the windmill to the dehydration device.

Preferably, the heat-exchange device is connected with an extension pipe which has an intake control unit.

Preferably, the dehydration device comprises an adjustment unit which controls orientation of the solar energy collection device.

Preferably, the water storage device has a return water tank which has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected with the pipe of the heat-exchange device and the outlet is connected to the solar energy collection device. The return water tank is the water supply of the solar energy collection device.

Preferably, the water storage device has an auxiliary water tank so as to provide water to the solar energy collection device.

Preferably, the dehydration device comprises a control device to control temperature, humidity and management of electric power of the dehydration device.

Preferably, the dehydration device comprises an enclosed space in which the hot air is located.

Preferably, the enclosed space has multiple heat sources which provide thermo energy of different spectrums and colors.

Preferably, the enclosed space has shelves are located therein to which the heat sources are connected.

The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the dehydration device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the dehydration device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another front view of the dehydration device of the present invention which is cooperated with the windmill and the electric power supply system;

FIG. 4 shows that the heat-exchange device is located in the enclosed space of front view of the dehydration device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows the connection between the solar energy collection device, the water storage device, the pump, and the heat-exchange device of the dehydration device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the operational status of the dehydration device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows the operational status of the dehydration device of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 3, and

FIG. 8 shows another operational status of the dehydration device of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dehydration device of the present invention comprises a solar energy collection device 1, such as the use of solar panels, connected with a water source and an adjustment unit 11 is connected to the solar energy collection device 1 so as to control orientation of the solar energy collection device 1. The solar energy collection device 1 transfers solar energy into thermo energy which heats water supplied from the water source. A water storage device 2 comprises a hot water tank 21, a return water tank 22 and an auxiliary water tank 23. The hot water tank 21 has a heater 211 and is connected to the solar energy collection device 1. The water heated by the solar energy collection device 1 is stored in the hot water tank 21. The return water tank 22 has an inlet 221 and an outlet 222, wherein the outlet 222 is connected to the solar energy collection device 1 and cooperated with a pump 3. When the water supply in the device is not sufficient, the auxiliary water tank 23 provides water to the return water tank 22 and the return water tank 22 then supplies water to the solar energy collection device 1. A heat-exchange device 4 comprises a pipe 41 and an air delivery unit 42, wherein the pipe 41 has one end connected to the hot water tank 21 and the other end of the pipe 41 is connected to the inlet 221 of the return water tank 22 and cooperated with another pump 3. The air delivery unit 42 is a fan which blows air toward the pipe 41 to form hot air by heat exchange. The water source connected to the solar energy collection device 1 may come from the tap water pipe or the water storage device 2.

The heat-exchange device 4 is fixed in an enclosed space 5 and the fan of the heat-exchange device 4 delivers the hot air to the enclosed space 5. A control device 51 is located in the enclosed space 5 so as to control the temperature, the humidity and the management of electric power of the dehydration device. The enclosed space 5 has shelves 52 located therein and the objects 6 to be dehydrated as shown in FIG. 6 are put on the shelves 52. The heat sources 53 are connected to the shelves 52. In this embodiment, the heat sources 53 are bulbs.

The adjustment unit 11 connected to the solar energy collection device 1 controls the orientation of the solar energy collection device 1 according the areas that the solar energy collection device 1 is used to increase the efficiency of absorbing the solar energy. The bulbs are used to increase the temperature and the thermo energy in the enclosed space 5. The bulbs are adjusted to provide thereto energy of different spectrums and colors according to the objects 6 to be dehydrated so as to keep the freshness and nutrition of the objects 6. When the spectrum is ultra violet light, it kills germs and sterilizes the objects.

FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of the present invention wherein the electric power is supplied by a windmill 7 and the windmill 7 which has an energy storage unit 71 for storing electric power generated by the windmill 7 and providing the electric power generated by the windmill 7 to the dehydration device. When the solar energy collection device 1 and the windmill 7 cannot provide sufficient electric power to the dehydration device, the electric power supply system 8 can be used to provide the electric power.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat-exchange device 4 is connected to outside of the enclosed space 5, however, as shown in FIG. 4, the heat-exchange device 4 is also able to be connected in the enclosed space 5 and connected with an extension pipe 9 which brings and circulates the hot air in the enclosed space 5. The extension pipe 9 further has an intake control unit 91 which allows limited air outside of the enclosed space 5 to be entered into the enclosed space 5.

As shown in FIG. 5 which shows the hot water circulation of the two embodiments mentioned above. The solar energy collection device 1 transfers solar energy into thermo energy which heats water supplied from the water source and the hot water is then stored in the hot water tank 21. In order to proceed the heat exchange, the hot water flows into the heat-exchange device 4 and the hot air is formed by the user of the fan of the heat-exchange device 4. The hot air is then sent to the enclosed space 5 to dehydrate the objects 6. After the heat exchange, the water that is cooled down is pumped into the return water tank 22. The water returned into the return water tank 22 is pumped by the pump 3 to the solar energy collection device 1 which then heats the water by the solar energy. By the steps mentioned above, the hot water circulation is formed. When the volume of the water in the circulation is not sufficient, the water source supplies water to the auxiliary water tank 23 and the water in the auxiliary water tank 23 is supplied to the return water tank 22 to proceed the circulation mentioned above.

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the second embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The solar energy collection device 1 transfers solar energy into thermo energy which heats the water passing through the solar energy collection device 1. The hot water is then sent to and stored in the hot water tank 21 which is connected to the heat-exchange device 4. The hot air is formed by the user of the fan of the heat-exchange device 4 and fan sends the hot air into the enclosed space 5 to dehydrate the objects 6 in the enclosed space 5. The water contents of the objects 6 gradually removed by the continuously provided hot air. When the solar energy absorbed by the solar energy collection device 1 is not sufficient to heat the water, the electric power generated by the windmill 7 is supplied to the dehydration device. The wind rotates the blades of the windmill 7 as shown in FIG. 7 to transfer the wind power into the mechanical energy which is then connected to the generator (not shown) to generate electric power. The windmill 7 has an energy storage unit 71 which stores the electric power generated by the windmill 7 when the solar energy collection device 1 generates sufficient electric power, the electric power stored by the energy storage unit 71 is supplied to the dehydration device when needed. As shown in FIG. 8, when the dehydration device cannot normally operated due to exterior factors such as no solar energy or wind power is available, the dehydration device can be powered by the local electric power supply system 8.

The present invention has the following advantages:

-   -   1. The dehydration device uses the solar energy to heat the         water and the electric power can be provided by using wind         power, the use of the green energy can save significant money         when compared with the conventional method using the fuel and         natural gas. The hot water circulation of the present invention         saves water and is an environmental friendly method.     -   2. The present invention uses the heat exchange to transfer the         hot water into hot air which dehydrates the objects can maintain         the proper water contents of the objects when compared with the         conventional way which directly heats the air and remove all of         the water contents from the objects. The present invention         maintains proper humidity and keeps the freshness of the objects         and also keeps the nutrition of the objects.     -   3. The dehydration device of the present invention is compact in         size and can be easily assembled so that it is easily moved. The         dehydration device of the present invention can be operated at         the areas where have sufficient sunny days or windy days. The         dehydration device of the present invention is not restricted by         the electric power source and can be installed above of the         enclosed space or in the enclosed space. It is convenient and         easy to transport and assemble the dehydration device of the         present invention.

While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A dehydration device comprising: a solar energy collection device connected with a water source and transferring solar energy into thermo energy which heats water that is supplied from the water source; a water storage device having at least one hot water tank which has a heater and is connected to the solar energy collection device, the water heated by the solar energy collection device being stored in the at least one hot water tank, and a heat-exchange device having a pipe and an air delivery unit, the pipe connected with the water storage device and the air delivery unit blowing air toward the pipe to form hot air.
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a windmill which has an energy storage unit for storing electric power generated by the windmill and providing the electric power generated by the windmill to the dehydration device.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the heat-exchange device is connected with an extension pipe which has an intake control unit.
 4. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjustment unit which controls orientation of the solar energy collection device.
 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water storage device has a return water tank which has an inlet and an outlet, the inlet is connected with the pipe of the heat-exchange device and the outlet is connected to the solar energy collection device, the return water tank is the water supply of the solar energy collection device.
 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water storage device has an auxiliary water tank so as to provide water to the solar energy collection device.
 7. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a control device to control temperature, humidity and management of electric power of the dehydration device.
 8. The device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an enclosed space in which the hot air is located.
 9. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the enclosed space has multiple heat sources which provide thermo energy of different spectrums and colors.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the enclosed space has shelves located therein to which heat sources are connected. 